Iain McMillan, a CBI director, said that an independent Scotland would 'not be
a land of milk and honey’

Scottish government agencies have joined a growing exodus from the CBI after it formally backed a “no” vote in the independence referendum.

Tourism board VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, which promotes job creation, both quit the business lobbying organisation after it registered with the Electoral Commission as a campaigner against independence, meaning that it could spend up to £10,000 during the run-up to the September vote.

However, a CBI spokesman told The Telegraph that it would not make any political donations during the period and that spending would be restricted to normal activities, such as its annual Scottish dinner.

He said: “The CBI took the decision to register with the Electoral Commission independently and in our own right. We have a clearly stated position that Scotland and the rest of the UK are stronger together on economic grounds as part of the union and this reflects the views of the vast majority of our members.

“Given that we regularly hold a number of events in Scotland, including our annual dinner and lunch, and since these will fall within the campaign period, registering with the Commission is a question of good governance.”

The two agencies follow broadcaster STV, energy company Aquamarine Power and the Balhousie Care Group in leaving the organisation.

Earlier this month, Iain McMillan, the director of CBI Scotland, said that an independent Scotland would “not be a land of milk and honey.”

“It would be extremely difficult with many painful decisions to be taken,” he told the Scottish Parliament’s Economy Committee.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “In these circumstances, it is clearly inappropriate for government agencies to remain in membership of the CBI. We would expect any other member to follow Scottish Enterprise and resign with immediate effect.”